In memory: Erik van Leeuwen

Erik van Leeuwen joined TU Delft in 2001 as a senior legal advisor to the Executive Board (then known as Administrative and Legal Affairs). Prior to that, he had been a court registrar at the District Court in The Hague. Erik held a Master of Laws and a Master of Arts degree, having studied law and economics. This made him one of the few lawyers who understood both words and numbers. He was able to translate his financial knowledge into a flourishing stock portfolio, something he was proud of.

As a legal professional, Erik was well versed in many areas of law, including procurement and real estate law.  He proved to be an excellent civil lawyer, basing his work on legislation and case law. He brought structure to complex cases, providing razor-sharp analyses and clear advice. Erik was also renowned for his exceptional writing skills. In a manner unparalleled by his contemporaries, he possessed the ability to meticulously craft a memorandum, articulating its contents with clarity and brevity, while ensuring its compliance with legal ramifications. He was also an advisory member of the CCFO for many years. The CCFO is the committee responsible for granting allowances to students in administrative positions or to those who have fallen behind in their studies due to circumstances beyond their control.

Erik was appointed Data Protection Officer (DPO) in April 2003, a role he fulfilled alongside his work as a legal advisor for many years. In October 2023, he became a full-time DPO. He then succeeded in embedding systematic data protection supervision within the organisation, which had previously been ad hoc. Although he worked in the Legal Services department, Erik collaborated with colleagues in many areas of the organisation.

As well as being a highly competent lawyer, Erik was widely regarded as a friendly and helpful colleague with a healthy sense of perspective. Colleagues liked him. He was appreciated not only for his pleasant manner and collegiality, but also for his willingness to collaborate across departmental boundaries, his pleasant conversations, his special sense of humour, and his friendly chats at the coffee machine.

Erik was an avid cyclist and would cycle from Scheveningen to Delft and back in all weathers. He did this every day because he preferred to be in the office, even during the Coronavirus pandemic, rather than working from home. Flying was also his great passion, and once he had obtained his licence, many colleagues had the privilege of sitting next to him in the cockpit.

Erik had been unwell for several years, but he had refused to take sick leave, continuing to work for as long as possible. That is what he wanted to do. He was driven by a strong sense of responsibility and the knowledge that he could make a difference, so he kept working right up until just before his death.